Fiber baling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for compressing a bale of fiber into a tightly compressed bale. The apparatus includes a cradlelike receptacle and a platen establishing a movable bottom for the receptacle. The receptacle and platen rock to and fro thus alternately presenting an upwardly directed opening to two groups of juxtaposed retainer rollers. A fiber compressor is positioned above the retainer rollers and initially compresses the bat into a thinner bat prior to it being passed freely through a space between the two groups of retainer rollers. the retainer rollers coact with the platen for subsequently compressing the thinner bat to its ultimate thinness while it is being received in the receptacle, i.e., as it is being urged between the platen and the retainer rollers by the rocking action. The platen is supported by receding pressure structure, e.g., hydraulic actuated cylinders and pistons coupled to a pressure relief valve, for yieldably supporting the weight of the accumulating bale of fibers and allowing the platen to lower slightly repeatedly until the receptacle is full. Structure is included for transferring the bale from the full receptacle to a strapping unit, i.e., while maintaining the compression thereon, where binding straps may be attached thereto.

llnite tates Bledsoe tent [1 1 FIBER BALHNG APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Woodrow W. Bledsoe, 1112 Deramus St., Prattville, Ala. 36067 [22] Filed: Apr. 15, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 461,153

152] U.S. C1. 53/117, 53/124 D, 53/124 TS, 100/3, 100/80, 100/218 {51] int. C1 B65b 63/04, B65b 63/02 [58] Field of Search.... 53/1 16, 117, 124 D, 124 TS; 100/3, 40, 80, 218

Primary Iiramimr-TtaViS S. McGehee Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John R. Walker, 111

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for compressing a bale of fiber into a Mar. 4, 1975 tightly compressed bale. The apparatus includes a cradlelike receptacle and a platen establishing a movable bottom for the receptacle. The receptacle and platen rock to and fro thus alternately presenting an upwardly directed opening to two groups ofjuxtaposed retainer rollers. A fiber compressor is positioned above the retainer rollers and initially compresses the bat into a thinner bat prior to it being passed freely through a space between the two groups of retainer rollers. the retainer rollers coact with the platen for subsequently compressing the thinner bat to its ultimate thinness while it is being received in the receptacle, i.e., as it is being urged between the platen and the retainer rollers by the rocking action. The platen is supported by receding pressure structure, e.g., hydraulic actuated cylinders and pistons coupled to a pressure relief valve, for yieldably supporting the weight of the accumulating bale of fibers and allowing the platen to lower slightly repeatedly until the receptacle is full. Structure is included for transferring the bale from the full receptacle to a strapping unit, i.e., while maintaining the compression thereon, where binding straps may be attached thereto.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures sum 1 9 2 TEUHAR 419 PATEN FIBER BALING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the field of baling or fiber pressing apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art A preliminary patentability search revealed the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 831,362; 1,079,683; 1,139,092; 2,131,502; 1,437,530; 2,731,782; 2,947,242; and 3,541,948. None of the above patents show or suggest applicants device. Baling apparatus usually is of the type having a tramper to pack the lint into a press box thus putting it under light compression. This type apparatus must be regulated to permit clearing the lint side between each stroke. Usually a kicker device deposits lint in the press box between strokes of the tramper. The speed of the kicker is related to the time the tramper is up allowing cotton to be kicked into the top of the press box. Trampers are available in several different types, such as the mechanical double chain and the hydraulic type all widely used and well-known to those skilled in the art.

Most of the above references pertain to baling presses of a different type or which do not have a tramper but rather depend upon the rollers to feed the lint onto a platen which is heldunder a predetermined pressure against the rollers. As the frame supporting the pressure rollers is reciprocated, the sets of rolls alternately lay the hat of fiber in transverse folds on the platen and as the rolls pass over the folds of the fiber or cotton it is compressed between the platen and belts of the rolls to the desired density, e.g., like the Elliot 502 patent.

A particular problem prevails relative to the latterdcscribed type, i.e., the 502 or the like particularly when using the compress in conjunction with ginning cotton. The problem alluded to is that in order to avoid stopping the ginning operation while straps are placed about the bale and the bale is removed from the platen, it is necessary to have two compresses built into a single unit which are operated alternately to provide for the continuous compressing and baling of the cotton as it flows from the gin. A single compress of this type is very expensive and the requirement to have two compresses. as disclosed by the 502, greatly compounds the expense. However, the two compresses are more economically feasible than is stopping the ginning operation temporarily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous fiber baling apparatus, particularly the requirement of having two compresses in order to maintain continuous operation of the cotton gin. The concept of the present invention is to provide a rocking cradlelike receptacle having a platen establishing a movable bottom for the receptacle which receives a bat or blanket of fiber, e.g., cotton or the like, in a peculiar manner so that it is tightly compressed into a bale. The receptacle and platen rock to and fro thus alternately presenting an upwardly directed opening to a first group of juxta posed retainer rollers and to a second group of juxtaposed retainer rollers.

A compressor is positioned above the two groups of retainer rollers adjacent a space there between and initially compresses the bat of fiber into a thinner bat prior to it being passed freely through the space between the two groups of retainer rollers. The retainer rollers coact with the platen for subsequently compressing the thinner bat to its ultimate thinness while it is being received in the receptacle, i.e., as it is being urged between the platen and the retainer rollers by the rocking action of the receptacle and the platen.

The platen is supported by receding pressure structure, e.g., hydraulic actuated cylinders and pistons coupled to a pressure relief valve, for yieldably supporting the weight of the accumulating bale of fibers and allowing the platen to lower slightly repeatedly until the receptacle is full. Structure is included for quickly transferring the bale from the full receptacle to a strapping unit, i.e., while maintaining the compression thereon, where binding strapsmay be attached thereto.

It should be understood that for the short duration of time required for effecting the transfer of the bale from the receptacle to the strapping unit, the gin may continue operation while the bat accumulates just ahead of the compressor which may be stopped momentarily if desirable. Accordingly, restarting the compressor after the bale has been transferred from the receptacle enables the compressor to quickly feed the accumulated bat into the empty receptacle thus only one fiber baling apparatus is necessary for continuous operation of the cotton gin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the fiber baling ap paratus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line Il-II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial view of that. shown in FIG. 2 and showing the compressor structure more in detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The fiber baling apparatus 11 of the present invention is intended to receive fibers 13, e.g., cotton, lint or the like, from a condensor 15 or conveyor belt well known to those skilled in the art. The fibers 13 are formed into an even bat or blanket 17 by the condensor 15. The apparatus 11 is intended to form a bale 19 of densely compressed fibers 13, i.e., the bat 17 is disposed in the bale 19 in folded layers, as shown by the numeral 21 in FIG. 2. Additionally, the apparatus 11 discharges the bale 19 into a flexible wrap cover 23, e.g., jute wrapping or the like. Strapping means 25 are included to provide bale holding means where straps 26 may be attached to the bale 19 and to facilitate discharging the finished bale 19 from the apparatus 11.

The apparatus 11 includes frame means 27 which is restingly supported upon a support surface S. Cradlelike receptacle means 29 is included and has an upwardly directed opening 31 for receiving the fiber bat 17 in a manner yet to be described. Also included is platen means 33 which establishes a bottom for the receptacle 29 to support the bat 17, or more specifically the accumulating bale 19, contained within the receptacle 29.

Included are rocking means 35 coupled to the cradlelike receptacle 29 for causing the receptacle 29 and the platen means 33 to rock to and fro as the bat of fibers 17 is being received in the receptacle means 29 in a manner yet to be described. Additionally, compressor means 37 is included and is disposed above the upwardly directed opening 31 of the receptacle means 29 for initially compressing the bat 17 into a thinner bat 17 of compressed fiber 13 for reception into the receptacle means 29. Additionally, retainer means 39 are included which are disposed above the receptacle means 29 and coact with the platen means 33 for further compressing the thinner bat 17' while it is being received in the receptacle means 29 as the receptacle means 29 rocks, in a manner yet to be described. Further, receding pressure means 41 are included which are suitably attached to the platen means 33 for yieldably supporting the weight of the compressed fiber 13 or the accumulating bale 19 and for maintaining compression on the fibers 13 or the layers 21 thereof as the receptacle means 29 is being filled with the fibers 13 or the bat 17.

The frame means 27 includes a boxlike base member 43 which is restingly supported upon the support surface S and preferably constructed from a plurality of channel iron members or the like in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Additionally, a pair of vertically disposed end plate members 45 are included and have the lower ends thereof suitably attached to the base 43 in any well-known manner, such as by suitable welds and preferably utilizing the angle iron members 47 shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The frame means 27 also includes support structure, as at 49, and other suitable structure (not shown) encompassed within the state of the art but deleted from this disclosure for clarity and convenience. Although, it should be mentioned that the support structure 49 is fixed to the base 43 by a plurality of vertical support members, as at 50.

The cradlelike receptacle means 29 includes a pair of spaced apart inverted U-shaped members 51 fixedly joined one to the other adjacent the lower ends thereof by a plurality of channel iron members 53. The U- shaped members 51 are provided with apertures 52 for pivotally receiving shaft structure yet to be disclosed. Additionally, the upwardly directed legs of the U- shaped members 51 are fixedly joined one to the other, as by welding or the like, by a pair of channel iron members 55, one of which is clearly shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. In other words, one of the legs of one of the members 51 is joined to one of the legs of the other member 51 by one of the channel iron members 55 and likewise for the other opposite leg of the members 51.

The receptacle means 29 additionally includes two confrontingly arranged substantially vertical walls 57 with the vertical edges thereof defining first and second openings 59, 61 which lead into a cavity 63 of the receptacle means 29.

The apparatus 11 preferably includes power-driven ram means 65 including well-known operative structure and having a ram head 67 for drivingly engaging the bale 19 to move it outwardly from the receptacle means 29 through the first opening 59 thereof and into the strapping means 25. The end plate members 45 are provided with openings (not shown) in alignment with the openings 59, 61 to allow free passage of the ram head 67. The ram head 67 is movable horizontally across the receptacle means 29 between retracted and extended positions. The ram head 67 is adjacent to and obstructs the second opening 61 when in the retracted position and is adjacent to and obstructs the first opening 59 when in the extended position, i.e., the ram head 67 is depicted in FIG. 1 of the drawings in the retracted position. In this regard, it might be desirable that the walls 57 be movable outwardly away from the layers of fiber 21 to minimize binding or to facilitate transferring the bale 19 to the strapping means 25. In other words, the walls 57 may be actuated by well-known structure (not shown), e.g., hydraulically actuated cam structure or the like, well known to those skilled in the art.

The rocking means includes a prime mover, e.g., an electric motor 69 or the like, which is suitably attached to the frame means 27. Additionally, a horizontally disposed rock shaft 71 is included which is journaled to the end plate members 45 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Additionally, the rocking means 35 includes pitman arm means 73 for causing the rock shaft 71 to rock to and fro about the horizontal axis thereof. The pitman arm means 73 includes: an arm 75 having a proximal end thereof fixed to the rotating output shaft of the motor 69, an arm 77 having the proximal end thereof fixed to the rock shaft 71, and a pitman arm member 79 having the respective remote ends thereof pivotally attached to the distal ends of the arms 75, 77. Thus the pitman arm means 73 couples the prime mover or electric motor 69 to the rock shaft 71.

The receptacle means 29 is attached to the rock shaft 71 and rocks to and fro about the longitudinal axis of the rock shaft 71. More specifically, the rock shaft 71 is freely received in the apertures 52 of the U-shaped members 51 whereby the receptacle means 29 is free to pivot about the rock shaft 71. It should be understood that suitable roller bearings (not shown) or the like may be desirable to minimize friction and to reduce wearing the rock shaft 71 or enlarging the apertures 52, i.e., the members 51 are preferably journaled to the rock shaft 71 by the roller bearings (not shown).

Additionally, a rocking arm 81 depends from the rock shaft 71 with the upper proximal end being fixed to the rock shaft 71. A pair of lugs 83 are fixedly attached, as by welding or the like, to the boxlike base member 43 and a pair of lugs 85 are fixedly attached as by welding or the like, to the respective channel iron members 55, 55 as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Additionally, one of the respective ends of a pair of legs 87 are pivotally attached to the lugs 85. Additionally, one of the respective ends of a pair oflegs 89 are pivotally attached to the lugs 83. Additionally, one of the respective ends ofa pair of push-pull rods 91 are pivotally attached to the rocking arm 81. Further, the ends of the respective legs 87, 89 and the push-pull rods 91 are pivotally attached one to the other as with pivot pins 93.

Thus, the receptacle means 29 rocks to and fro with the rock shaft 71. More specifically, the receptacle means 29 moves to right and left extreme positions character referenced in FIG. 2 of the drawings respectively by the numerals 29', 29". FIG. 2 shows the receptacle means 29 in phantom as 29 when the rock shaft 71 is rotated counter-clockwise the maximum degrees and as 29" when the rock shaft 71 has rotated clockwise the maximum degrees.

The platen means 33 establishes a bottom for the receptacle means 29 to support the fibers or the bale 19 contained therein. The platen means 33 is movable towards and away from the upwardly directed opening 31. Also, platen means 33 is indirectly coupled to the rock shaft 71 to rock to and fro therewith as the layers 21 of fiber are being compressionably received in the receptacle means 29. More specifically, the platen means 33 is movably supported by a plurality of hydraulically actuated cylinders and piston means 95 as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Additionally, the upper portions of the cylinders 95 are fixedly attached to the channel iron members 53 thus the lower ends of the cylinders 95 swing arcuately as the shaft 71 rocks. The platen means 33 includes a frame member 97 which is attached to the movable pistons (not shown) of the hydraulic cylinders 95. Thus, pressure applied to the hydraulic cylinders 95 forces the pistons upwardly which carries the frame member 97 upwardly towards the upwardly directed opening 31. It should be understood that the previously mentioned receding pressure means 41 includes the just described hydraulic cylinder and piston means 95 and additional structure yet to be disclosed.

The compression means 37 includes first and second rotatably driven cylinders 99, 101 for initially compressing the bat of fibers 17 into the thinner bat 17' of compressed fibers prior to their being received in the receptacle means 29. The cylinders 99, 101 are journaled to the end plates 45 and are rotatably driven by the prime mover or the motor 69. Further, according to the invention, the drive rate of the cylinders 99, 101 must be coordinated with the rate at which the receptacle means 29 rocks to and fro. More specifically, a suitably sized sprocket 103 is attached to the rotating output shaft of the motor 69 and the cylinders 99, 101 respectively include suitably sized sprockets 105, 107. An endless drive chain 109 meshingly engages the sprockets 103,105, 107 in a manner substantially as depicted in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Thus the cooperating cylinders 99, 101 are rotatably driven about their horizontal axes at a predetermined rate by the motor 69.

From FIG. 3 of the drawings it may be seen that the compression means 37 includes bias means 111 for yieldably urging the cylinders 99, 101 towards one another, More specifically, the rotating axis or shaft 113 of the cylinder 101 is free to move laterally within elongated apertures 115 which are provided in the end plates 45. Additionally, the remote ends of the rotating shaft 113 respectively are journaled to the upper ends of a pair of levers 117. The respective lower ends of the levers 117 are pivotally attached to the end plates 45 by pivot pins 118 (only one of the levers 117 and pins 118 are shown). Additionally, one of the ends of a pair ofarms 119 are fixedly attached to the lever 117 establishing a distal end 121 for the arm 119 (only one arm 119 is shown).

Accordingly, urging the distal end 121 of the arm 119 upwardly as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings causes rotation of the levers 117 about the pivot pins 118 or moves the cylinder 101 toward the cylinder 99. For this purpose, a pair of compression springs 123 are included (only one compression spring 123 is shown). The upper end of each compression spring 123 restingly engages the distal end 121 of the arm 119 and the lower end of the compression spring 123 restingly engages a support member 125. The support member 125 is attached to the end plate 45 in any well-l nown manner as by welding or the like. The tension on the compression springs 123 is preferably adjustable. Therefore, a bolt 127 is included which is threadedly received in a suitable aperture in the support member 125 to raise or lower the seat of the compression spring 123 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. A

jam nut 129 is preferably included to prevent inadvertent rotation of the bolt 127.

The retainer means 39 preferably includes a plurality of retainer rollers 131 which are journaled to the end plate members 45 for rotation about their respective horizontal axes as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. More specifically, the retainer rollers 131 are arranged into two inclined groups having a space between the groups establishing a throat 133 for freely passing the bat 17' of fibers therethrough. Additionally. the retainer rollers 131 in each of the two groups are juxtaposed to preclude the bat 17' passing therebetween thus retaining and compressing the thin bat 17' or establishing the folded layers 21 as the bale I9 accumulates within the rocking receptacle means 29.

More specifically, the plurality of retainer rollers 131 are disposed parallel with the cylinders 99, 101 and coact with the platen means 33 for subsequently compressing the thinner bat 17' of compressed fiber 13 while it is being received in the receptacle means 29 as the receptacle means 29 rocks. Further, the retainer rollers 131 are interposed between the cylinders 99, 101 and the receptacle means 29 adjacent the upwardly directed opening 31 thereof with certain ones of the retainer rollers 131 alternately covering the upwardly directed opening 31, i.e., first the group of re tainer rollers on the left as depicted in FIG. 2 of the drawings covers the opening 31, then the group of retaining rollers depicted on the right of this figure covers the opening 31, while the bat 17 is compressably pulled between subsequent folded layers 21 and the retainer rollers 131.

The receding pressure means 41 preferably includes a pressure relief valve 135 for allowing the platen means 33 to lower slightly repeatedly as the receptacle means 29 is being filled with the layers 21 of fibers 13 and for maintaining a predetermined amount of compression on the layers 21 of fibers 13. The pressure re lief valve 135 is diagrammatically depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 and is suitably coupled to the hydraulic cylinder and piston means 95 in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art.

From FIG. 1 of the drawings it may be seen that the strapping means 25 is disposed adjacent the receptacle means 29 or more specifically, adjacent the first opening 59 thereof. The strapping means 25 receives the compressed bale 19 of fibers 13 from the receptacle means 29 in a manner previously described and maintains the compression on the bale 19 while binding straps 26 are suitably attached thereto.

More specifically, the strapping means 25 includes an upper and lower series of strapping rollers 139, 141. The upper series of strapping rollers 139 are suitably journaled to the fixed support structure 49, i.e., a part of the frame means 27, for rotation about their respective horizontal axes. The lower series of strapping rollers 141 are journaled to movable boxlike support structure 143 for, rotation about their respective horizontal axes. The upper series of strapping rollers 139 rollably and compressably engage the upper surface of the bale 19 and the lower series of strapping rollers 141 rollably and compressably engage the lower surface of the bale 19 as the ram head 67 engages the bale Hand is moved to the aforementioned extended position.

The baling apparatus 11 also includes means such as hydraulic actuated cylinder and piston means 145 for lowering the bale 19 away from the upper series of strapping rollers 139 subsequent to the binding straps 26 being attached to the bale 19. From FIG. 1 of the drawings it may be seen that the hydraulic actuated cylinder and piston means 145 are interposed between the boxlike base member 43 and the lower series of strapping rollers 141. It should be understood that the strapping apparatus 25 preferably, but not necessarily, includes two sets of hydraulic actuated cylinder and piston means 145, i.e., one set adjacent each of the remote ends ofthe strapping rollers 141. However, in the interest of brevity and convenience only one set of cylinder and piston means 145 will be shown and described, the other set being identical thereto.

The cylinder and piston means 145 includes a lug 147 fixedly attached to the boxlike base member 43 in any well-known manner as by welding or the like. Also included are a pair of lugs 149, 151 fixedly attached to the boxlike base member 43 in any well-known manner as by welding or the like. Additionally, the upper end of a leg 153 is pivotally attached to the movable boxlike support member 143. Additionally, the lower end of a leg 155 is pivotally attached to the lug 151. Further, a hydraulic cylinder and piston 157 has one end thereof pivotally attached to the lug 147 and the opposite end, being movable, is pivotally attached to the opposite ends of the legs 153, 155 by a pivot pin 159.

The hydraulic cylinder means 145 also includes another hydraulic cylinder and piston 161 which has one of the ends thereof pivotally attached to the lug 147. Additionally, the upper end ofa leg 163 is pivotally attached to the movable boxlike support structure 143. Further, the lower end ofa leg 165 is pivotally attached to the lug 149. The opposite ends of the legs 163, 165 are pivotally attached to the opposite end or movable portion ofthe hydraulic cylinder 161 by a pivot pin 167 all of which is clearly shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

Accordingly, actuating or extending the hydraulic cylinders 157, 161 moves the legs 153, 155; 163, 165 to a vertical position substantially as depicted in FIG. 1 of the drawings or raises the movable support structure 143 to the horizontal position depicted therein. On the other hand, retracting the cylinders 157, 161 (as shown in phantom for the cylinder 157') causes the legs 153, 155; 163, 165 to move inwardly substantially as shown in phantom for the legs 153, 155. Thus the movable boxlike support structure 143 moves down wardly to the inclined position depicted in phantom and character referenced by the numeral 143. Accordingly, the bale 19 is now resting upon the lower series of rollers 141 and the bale 19 is free to be moved from the fiber baling apparatus 11, i.e., again using the lower rollers 141 to transfer the bale 19 to other conveying means (not shown).

The platen 33 preferably includes a plurality of platen rollers 169 for restingly supporting the bale 19 of fibers 13 as it accumulates within the receptacle means 29 and for facilitating the transfer of the bale 19 from the receptacle means 29 to the strapping means 25. The platen rollers 169 are journaled to the frame member 97 for rotation about their respective horizontal axes and with their respective rotating axes being substantially parallel to the rotating axes of the strapping rollers 139, 141.

The apparatus 11 also includes an upper roller 171 and a lower roller 173 journaled to the end plate member 45 respectively superjacent and subjacent the previously mentioned opening (not shown) provided in the end plate member 45, i.e., this opening is in alignment with the first vertical opening 59 of the receptacle means 29. In other words, the upper surface of the bale 19 engages the upper roller 171 and the lower surface of the bale 19 engages the lower roller 173 as the ram head 67 transfers the bale 19 from the receptacle means 29 to the strapping means 25. It should be understood that the rotating axes of the rollers 171, 173 are parallel with those of the rollers 169.

The baling apparatus 11 preferably includes wrapping means 175 for placing the aforementioned flexible wrap cover 23, e.g., a well-known jute wrapping or the like, over certain surfaces of the bale 19 prior to the binding straps 26 being attached thereto. The wrapping means 175 includes a supply of the wrap cover 23, e.g., a roll depicted by the numeral 179, which is rotatably attached to suitable support structure as clearly shown in FIG. 1 ofthe drawings. The wrapping means 175 also includes upper and lower endless belt conveyor means 181, 183 for moving a predetermined length of the flexible wrap cover 23 to an optimum position to facilitate being wrapped about the bale 9 zn a manner yet c6 be described. The upper conveyor belt means 181 is positioned above the upper series of strapping rollers 139 for moving the predetermined length of wrapper 23 to a point adjacent the receptacle means 29 or adjacent the upper roller 171. Whence, the free end 23' of the wrapper 23 is free to gravitate downwardly toward the lower conveyor belt means 183. The belt 183 moves the free end of the wrapper 23 horizontally or to the left as shown in FIG. 1 a predetermined distance with a mid portion, shown by the numeral 185, of the wrapper 23 extending over or obstructing the first opening 59 of the receptacle means 29.

Thus it may readily be seen from the above disclosure and a studyof FIG. 1 of the drawings that transferring the bale 19 from the receptacle means 29 to the strapping means 25 by the ram head 67 in the aforementioned manner is effective to engage one end of the bale 19 with the mid portion 185 of the wrapper 23. Additionally, as the bale 19 is urged between the upper and lower series of strapping rollers 139, 141 the free end 23 is drawn upwardly or is placed between the layers 21 of the fiber 13 and the lower series of strapping rollers 141. Further, a corresponding portion of the wrapper 23, adjacent the roll 179, is pulled down or placed between the layers 21 of the fibers 13 and the upper series of strapping rollers 139, i.e., the roll 179 being free to pay out additional wrapping 23 as the bale 19 moves on across the strapping means 25 and the direction of travel of the conveyors 181, 183 being reversed; Subsequent to the bale being placed in the strapping means 25 the wrap cover 23 may be severed in any well-known manner, i.e., either manually or automatically, with the free ends suitably placed on the bale 19 prior to the binding straps 26 being attached thereto. It should be understood that the individual rollers of both the upper and lower series of strapping rollers 139, 141 have a suitable spaced apart distance to facilitate placing the binding straps 26 therebetween, i.e., when attaching the binding straps 26 to the bale 19.

From the above disclosure the operation of the fiber baling apparatus 11 should be obvious to those skilled in the art. The scope of the present invention is intended to encompass well-known structure (not shown) to automatically and sequentially actuate certain of the above-disclosed structure, e.g., the rock shaft 71, the ram head 67, the cylinders 95, the motor 69, the cylinders 157, 161, the conveyor belts 181, 183, etc., and for stopping the full receptacle means 29 in the mid position or as depicted in FIG. 2 in order to facilitate the transfer of the bale 19 to the strapping means 25.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. Fiber baling apparatus for compressing a bat of fibers into a tightly compressed bale, said fiber baling apparatus comprising frame means restingly supported upon a support surface, cradlelike receptacle means having an upwardly directed opening for receiving the fiber bat, platen means establishing a bottom of said receptacle means for supporting the fibers contained 'therein, rocking means coupled to said cradlelike receptacle means for causing said cradlelike receptacle means .and said platen means to rock to and fro as the hat of fibers is being received in said receptacle means, means disposed above said upwardly directed opening of said receptacle means for delivering a thin bat of compressed fiber into said receptacle means, retaining means disposed above said receptacle means and coacting with said platen means for further compressing the bat while it is being received in said receptacle means as said receptacle means rocks, and receding pressure means attached to said platen means for yieldably supporting the weight of the compressed fiber and for maintaining compression on the fibers as said receptacle means is being filled with the fibers.

2. The baling apparatus of claim 1 in which said retaining means includes a plurality of retainer rollers journaled to said frame means for rotation about their respective horizontal axes.

3. The baling apparatus of claim 2 in which said plurality of retainer rollers are arranged in two groups having a space between said groups establishing a throat for freely passing the bat offiber therethrough, said retainer rollers in each of said two groups being juxtaposed to preclude the bat passing therebetween thus retaining and compressing the thin bat of fibers as the bale accumulates within said receptacle means.

4. The baling apparatus of claim 1 in which is included strapping means disposed adjacent said receptacle means for receiving the compressed bale of fibers from said receptacle means and for maintaining the compression on the bale while binding straps are attached thereto.

5. The baling apparatus of claim 4 in which said cradlelike receptacle means includes two confrontingly arranged substantially vertical walls with the vertical edges thereof defining first and second openings leading horizontally into a cavity of said receptacle means, power driven ram means having a ram head for engaging the bale of fibers to move it outwardly from said receptacle means through said first opening thereof and into said strapping means, said ram head being movable along a horizontal axis across said receptacle means between retracted and extended positions with said ram 7 head obstructing said second vertical opening when in said retracted position and obstructing said first vertical opening when in said extended position.

6. The baling apparatus of claim 5 in which said strapping means includes an upper and lower series of strapping rollers, said upper series of strapping rollers being journaled to fixed support structure for rotation about their respective horizontal axes, said lower series of strapping rollers being journaled to movable support structure for rotation about their respective horizontal axes, said upper series of strapping rollers rollably and compressably engaging the upper surface of the bale and said lower series of strapping rollers rollably and compressably engaging the lower surface of the bale as said ram head is moved to said extended position.

7. The baling apparatus of claim 6 in which said platen includes a frame member and a plurality of platen rollers for engaging and restingly supporting the bale of fibers as it accumulates within said receptacle means and for facilitating the transfer of the bale from said receptacle means to said strapping means, said platen rollers being journaled to said frame member for rotation about their respective horizontal axes and with their respective rotating axes being substantially parallel to the rotating axes of said strapping rollers of said strapping means.

8. The baling apparatus of claim 7 in which said strapping means includes wrapping means for placing a flexible web wrapper over certain surfaces of the bale prior to binding straps being attached thereto.

9. The baling apparatus of claim 8 in which said wrapping means includes a supply of said web wrapper and upper and lower endless belt conveyor means for moving a predetermined length of said web wrapper to an optimum position for being wrapped about the bale, said upper conveyor belt means being positioned above said upper series of strapping rollers for moving said predetermined length of wrapper to a point adjacent said receptacle means from whence the free end of said wrapper is free to gravitate downwardly towards said lower conveyor belt means which moves the free end of said wrapper horizontally a predetermined distance with a mid portion of the wrapper extending over said first vertical opening of said receptacle means.

10. The baling apparatus of claim 9 in which is included means interposed between said frame means and said lower series of strapping rollers for lowering the bale away from said upper series of strapping rollers subsequent to strapping being attached to the bale.

ll. The baling apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for delivering a thin bat of compressed fibers in cludes a pair of cooperating cylinders rotatably driven about their horizontal axes, and bias means for yieldably urging said cylinders towards one another.

12. Fiber baling apparatus for compressing a bat of fiber into a tightly compressed bale, said fiber baling apparatus comprising frame means restingly supported upon a support surface, a prime mover attached to said frame means, a horizontally disposed rock shaft journaled to said frame means, pitman arm means coupling said prime mover to said rock shaft for causing said rock shaft to rock to and fro about the horizontal axis thereof, cradlelike receptacle means having an upwardly directed opening for receiving the fiber, platen means movable towards and away from said upwardly directed opening and establishing a bottom for said receptacle means to support the fiber contained therein, said receptacle means and said platen means being attached to said rock shaft to rock to and fro therewith as the fiber is being compressionably received in said means and said receptacle means adjacent said upwardly directed opening thereof with certain ones of said retainer rollers alternately covering said upwardly directed opening, and receding pressure means supporting said platen means for yieldably supporting the weight of the accumulating bale of fibers and for allowing said platen means to lower slightly repeatedly as said receptacle means is being filled with the fibers for maintaining a predetermined amount of compression on the fibers. 

1. Fiber baling apparatus for compressing a bat of fibers into a tightly compressed bale, said fiber baling apparatus comprising frame means restingly supported upon a support surface, cradlelike receptacle means having an upwardly directed opening for receiving the fiber bat, platen means establishing a bottom of said receptacle means for supporting the fibers contained therein, rocking means coupled to said cradlelike receptacle means for causing said cradlelike receptacle means and said platen means to rock to and fro as the bat of fibers is being received in said receptacle means, means disposed above said upwardly directed opening of said receptacle means for delivering a thin bat of compressed fiber into said receptacle means, retaining means disposed above said receptacle means and coacting with said platen means for further compressing the bat while it is being received in said receptacle means as said receptacle means rocks, and receding pressure means attached to said platen means for yieldably supporting the weight of the compressed fiber and for maintaining compression on the fibers as said receptacle means is being filled with the fibers.
 2. The baling apparatus of claim 1 in which said retaining means includes a plurality of retainer rollers journaled to said frame means for rotation about their respective horizontal axes.
 3. The baling apparatus of claim 2 in which said plurality of retainer rollers are arranged in two groups having a space between said groups establishing a throat for freely passing the bat of fiber therethrough, said retainer rollers in each of said two groups being juxtaposed to preclude the bat passing therebetween thus retaining and compressing the thin bat of fibers as the bale accumulates within said receptacle means.
 4. The baling apparatus of claim 1 in which is included strapping means disposed adjacent said receptacle means for receiving the compressed bale of fibers from said receptacle means and for maintaining the compression on the bale while binding straps are attached thereto.
 5. The baling apparatus of claim 4 in which said cradlelike receptacle means includes two confrontingly arranged substantially vertical walls with the vertical edges thereof defining first and second openings leading horizontally into a cavity of said receptacle means, power driven ram means having a ram head for engaging the bale of fibers to move it outwardly from said receptacle means through said first opening thereof and into said strapping means, said ram head being movable along a horizontal axis across said receptacle means between retracted and extended positions with said ram head obstructing said second vertical opening when in said retracted position and obstructing said first vertical opening when in said extended position.
 6. The baling apparatus of claim 5 in which said strapping means includes an upper and lower series of strapping rollers, said upper series of strapping rollers being journaled to fixed support structure for rotation about their respective horizontal axes, said lower series of strapping rollers being journaled to movable support structure for rotation about their respective horizontal axes, said upper series of strapping rollers rollably and compressably engaging the upper surface of the bale and said lower series of strapping rollers rollably and compressably engaging the lower surface of the bale as said ram head is moved to said extended position.
 7. The baling apparatus of claim 6 in which said platen includes a frame member and a plurality of platen rollers for engaging and restingly supporting the bale of fibers as it accumulates within said receptacle means and for facilitating the transfer of the bale from said receptacle means to said strapping means, said platen rollers being journaled to said frame member for rotation about their respective horizontal axes and with their respective rotating axes being substantially parallel to the rotating axes of said strapping rollers of said strapping means.
 8. The baling apparatus of claim 7 in which said strapping means includes wrapping means for placing a flexible web wrapper over certain surfaces of the bale prior to binding straps being attached thereto.
 9. The baling apparatus of claim 8 in which said wrapping means includes a supply of said web wrapper and upper and lower endless belt conveyor means for moving a predetermined length of said web wrapper to an optimum position for being wrapped about the bale, said upper conveyor belt means being positioned above said upper series of strapping rollers for moving said predetermined length of wrapper to a point adjacent said receptacle means from whence the free end of said wrapper is free to gravitate downwardly towards said lower conveyor belt means which moves the free end of said wrapper horizontally a predetermined distance with a mid portion of the wrapper extending over said first vertical opening of said receptacle means.
 10. The baling apparatus of claim 9 in which is included means interposed between said frame means and said lower series of strapping rollers for lowering the bale away from said upper series of strapping rollers subsequent to strapping being attached to the bale.
 11. The baling apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for delivering a thin bat of compressed fibers includes a pair of cooperating cylinders rotatably driven about their horizontal axes, and bias means for yieldably urging said cylinders towards one another.
 12. Fiber baling apparatus for compressing a bat of fiber into a tightly compressed bale, said fiber baling apparatus comprising frame means restingly supported upon a support surface, a prime mover attached to said frame means, a horizontally disposed rock shaft journaLed to said frame means, pitman arm means coupling said prime mover to said rock shaft for causing said rock shaft to rock to and fro about the horizontal axis thereof, cradlelike receptacle means having an upwardly directed opening for receiving the fiber, platen means movable towards and away from said upwardly directed opening and establishing a bottom for said receptacle means to support the fiber contained therein, said receptacle means and said platen means being attached to said rock shaft to rock to and fro therewith as the fiber is being compressionably received in said receptacle means, compressor means for initially compressing the bat of fibers into a thinner bat of compressed fiber prior to being received in said receptacle means, said compressor means being journaled to said frame means and rotatably driven by said prime mover, a plurality of retainer rollers disposed parallel with said compressor means and coacting with said platen means for subsequently compressing the thinner bat of compressed fiber while it is being received in said receptacle means as said receptacle means rocks, said retainer rollers being interposed between said compressor means and said receptacle means adjacent said upwardly directed opening thereof with certain ones of said retainer rollers alternately covering said upwardly directed opening, and receding pressure means supporting said platen means for yieldably supporting the weight of the accumulating bale of fibers and for allowing said platen means to lower slightly repeatedly as said receptacle means is being filled with the fibers for maintaining a predetermined amount of compression on the fibers. 